Monthly Grant recipients

January 2025 - Monthly Grant Recipients

Applicant Project Title Brief Project Description Total Allocated
Natasha Van Wyk  Live Pet Portraits & Textile Art – A Community Connection Experience at Live on the Lawn 2025

 

The Live Pet Portraits & Textile Art – A Community Connection Experience will involve 

 Letitia sketching pets live at the "Live on the Lawn" event, while Natasja sews key details onto fabric, highlighting sustainable and up-cycled textile methods.‍ Visitors will have the opportunity to watch, ask questions, and take part in an interactive creative process. ‍This initiative promotes artistic appreciation, strengthens social bonds through shared creative experiences, and supports local artists by showcasing their work in a vibrant public setting.

 $1,000.00

 
Belgrave Survival Day Committee

 

 Belgrave Survival Day

 

 Belgrave Survival Day is a positive celebration of the strength and resilience of the the Traditional Owners in the local area of Wurundjeri Country as well as the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It is a free public, family friendly, all ages, inclusive, one day, outdoor festival event celebrating First Nations Cultures through Ceremony, music, dance, arts, crafts, products and food. In-Kind Waste Management

 
Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated (HICCI)

 

 Dinner at Darron's

 

 Dinner at Darron's is a free weekly community meal served in Healesville. The Dinner commenced in 2007 with an average of 45 patrons attending each week, plus some takeaway meals for those who are not able to attend. There are currently six teams of volunteers rostered on to prepare & serve a two-course meal. Some of the teams are from our member churches, including a Youth Team, as well as the local community. HICCI is represented at the Dinner should any of the patrons need support. We also invite professionals such as our local Police, Eastern Health to share a meal and establish relationships with our patrons. $1,500.00

 
Australian Red Cross - Yarra Valley Branch

 

 Home made goods stalls

 

 We hold monthly stalls at Launch Fresh and local events such as Crank Up and WHYLD over the course of the year. Along with hand knitted or hand sewn goods, we make jams, pickles, relishes, cordials and more. Each of these food items require a label with our name, ingredients and date made to ensure adherence to the Food Safety rules. Our grant application covers the cost of removable labels - jars are re-used wherever possible when customers re-donate them. $120.00

 
Gladysdale Primary School

 

 Fun Family Farm Day

 

 The Fun Family Farm Day event will invove students from Gladysdale Primary School providing a range of activities for Preschoolers to participate in. These may include balloon animals, pin the tail on the donkey, "pig tail" spiral apples, make a cotton ball sheep, clucking chicken from cups and any other activity the students choose to organise. The event will alsoinvolve parent volunteers to direct traffic, support our students running activities and make positive connections with the community. Local kinders and the wider community will be invited.

 

 $999.00
April Vautier Australian Wearable Art Festival I am a 14 year old origami artist, and I have started making origami clothes. I am too young to enter the Australian Wearable Art Festival, but the organiser has encouraged me to come as an audience member and to tour backstage. I am applying for the grant to cover the cost of entry to the event. $250.00
Mooroolbark Urban Harvest swap

 

 Mooroolbark Urban Harvest swap

 

 This monthly events aim to connect local backyard fruit and vegetable growers. Connecting community members with a common interest and introducing the uninitiated into the joys of locally grown food. By swapping produce and seeds and seedlings we are encouraging food security for the locals

 

‍
 In-Kind Venue Hire

 
Kallista Village Inc

 

 Kallista Centenary Celebrations

 

 Kallista Village Inc is holding a community wide event, Kallista Centenary Celebration to recognise the 100-year anniversary of the naming of Kallista. The event will include historical re-enactments, community group Pavilions, First Peoples, a writers expo, Bush Dance, and Youth Stage and Jazz Hall. Collaborations will be made with many community groups including Kallista-The Patch CFA, Kallista Primary, Kallista Kindergarten, Kallista Traders, 3MDR and the event will celebrate the naming of the township and strengthen our community connections. In-Kind Waste Management

 
Lily Exton

 

 Under 18 National Championships (Basketball)

 

 Lily has been selected to represent the Victoria Country Womens Basketball team in the 2025 National Championships to be held in Brisbane 4/4/2025 to 14/04/2025.

 

 $250.00
Quilts for Orphans Inc

 

 FLOWER (Fabric hugs to Love Others With Warmth, Empathy and Reassurance)

 

 The project, ‘FLOWER’, (Fabric hugs to Love Others With Warmth, Empathy and Reassurance) will consist of a series of 3 Makers Marathons (with themes of Let's Party and Heart and Home) to create quilt tops - as well as 18 sewing days (Quilting Bees) to complete the quilt projects. Several committee members will also work with our website designer to simplify our current website and learn how we can make changes and upload new material to support us to manage more of the website ourselves, which will be more sustainable for us. $1,500.00
Hills Act Theatre Company

 

 Hills Act Theatre Company

 

 Hills Act Theatre Company will present their first play "Breathless" by Deborah Mulhall, involving 14 young actors. The project will be performed at The Memo Hall, Healesville, and will also be involved in the Community Festival in early March. Key partners are the banks and businesses of Healesville.

 

‍
 $1,500.00
Dani-Ela Kayler

 

 Purple Pea Wonders

 

 Dani-Ela Kayler would like to develop the artwork for the “Purple Pea Wonders” a type of discovered-art, postcard installation in collaboration with young local emerging artist Mim White. Monthly Grant funding will develop the initial Purple Pea Wonders project and serve to give Mim an opportunity to develop and showcase her art in her local community. Following this, the projected vision is to apply for a larger Grant in July 2025.

 

 $1,500.00
Montrose Community Cupboard

 

 OzHarvest NEST Program - Montrose Community Cupboard

 

 In partnership with Japara Neighbourhood House, Montrose Community Cupboard would like to host a six-week Nutrition Education Skills Training (NEST) program, run by OzHarvest. The program teaches adults about healthy eating and easy, affordable cooking in a friendly and fun environment. Our aim is to offer this program to our volunteer community (we have 93 current volunteers) who will then be able to share their knowledge with others in the community.

 

 $1,500.00
 Taia McMechan

 

  Foot Locker U18 And Junior Wheelchair National Championships

 

  Taia has been selected to attend he 2025 Foot Locker Under 18 & Junior Wheelchair National Championships in Brendale, QLD. This event is a prestigious national competition that brings together elite young athletes from across Australia to compete in cross-country events, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship. This event will not only be a chance for top athletes to compete but also an opportunity for community engagement and the celebration of diverse talent in the sporting world.

 

  $250.00
 Belgrave Survival Day Committee

 

  Belgrave Survival Day

 

  Belgrave Survival Day is a positive celebration of the strength and resilience of the the Traditional Owners in the local area of Wurundjeri Country as well as the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It is a free public, family friendly, all ages, inclusive, one day, outdoor festival event celebrating First Nations Cultures through Ceremony, music, dance, arts, crafts, products and food.

 

  $500.00
 Monbulk Car Show Inc

 

  Monbulk Car Show 2025

 

  Monculk Car Show 2025 is a static car show held in the main street (closed to normal traffic) of Monbulk. The show will involve 35+ volunteers from the Monbulk Fire Brigade to handle logistics, 6 Commitee members to run the show and many community groups fundraising.

 

  $1,390.00

 
 Maya Ward

 

  And They are Seeing You: Meeting the Gaze of an Alive World - Exhibition Outreach

 

  The "And They are Seeing You: Meeting the Gaze of an Alive World - Exhibition Outreach" project will involve running a creativity/writing/photography workshop for students at Warburton Arts Centre between February and April 2025. Work the students create during the workshop will be incorporated into a collective, communal and ongoing artwork evolving over the months of the exhibition within the gallery space.

 

  $1,500.00
 Ms Rebecca Murray

 

  marram-al ngurrak-u /Body of the mountain

 

  marram-al ngurrak-u is an exhibition (plus events), occurring at Burrinja, May-July 2025. Key partners include Body Place Project, Yarra Ranges Council and Creative Australia. Funding requested is for a large-scale cyanotype artwork, beyond the scope of the existing project budget. The proposed work contemplates the rich local culture, history and environment of the Yarra Ranges, and is centred around the Ngurrak Barring trail. It speaks of the spirit of place and the ongoing, interconnected dialogues and stories embedded into the ranges over time. The proposed artwork melds technologies past and present in new innovative ways.

 

  $1,500.00
 Ben's Shed Inc

 

  Printer/Scanner Replacement

 

  This project involves the replacement of an existing Epson Printer/Scanner with an updated current model to provide ongoing printing and scanning support to Ben's Shed Executive and Committee Members. The current printer is over seven years old and has inherent, age related issues that restrict its application and lowers the quality of the print/scanned product.

 

  $747.00

Total

$16,006.00

February 2025 - Monthly Grant Recipients

Applicant Project Title Brief Project Description Total Allocated
Oliver Stenhouse

 

 VMMNA state team

 

 Oliver Stenhouse will be representing Victoria in the all boys netball team. The tournament goes for 7 days and Oliver will be travelling to the state netball centre every day from his home address.

 

 $250.00
Community Gardens Australia 2024 VIC Community Gardens Gathering Partnering with ECOSS we will deliver a full day of speakers, workshops and a shared community lunch with participants. A separate stream of activities will be delivered for children and youth in the morning and afternoon and they will join the main group for the community lunch. $1,000.00
1st Belgrave South Scouts

 

 Dandenong Ranges Youth Market

 

 The main aim of the Dandenong Ranges Youth Market is to provide an affordable and safe platform for both scouts and the local youth community (under 18s) to experience having a market stall, or busking. Monthly Grant funding would support costs associated with educational entertainment, mini bus hire to alleviate parking congestion and improve accessibility, and advertising to ensure a successful day for our stallholders.

 

 $1,500.00
Ms Chelsea McNab

 

 Website and Training for UpCycles

 

 Upcycles is a bicycle upcycling hub at Yarra Valley ECOSS. Here we collect discarded bikes, diverting them from landfill and upcycle them for both donation and sales at low cost to the community. There are currently approx 50 regular volunteers attending Upcycles weekly. These volunteers are all genders and ages including parents and children down to 5 years old. Currently there's an Upcycles facebook site, however we need to build a website to host all the bikes for sale, and train two of the volunteers in how to manage the site for weekly maintenance of uploading new bikes and removing sold bikes from the site.

 

 $1500.00
Yarra Junction Seniors Card Group

 

 Yarra Junction Seniors Card Group

 

 The event occurs weekly in the Yarra Junction Shire building. It involves lonely people meeting, socializing, playing cards, communicating, stimulating mental abilities and having fun. It also encourages people with disabilities and ageing problems to be able to meet and get together to help them become involved with the Community

 

 $948.00
Jane (Jarnie) Birmingham

 

 Global Rhythms Workshop Series

 

The Global Rhythms Workshop Series will utilise various workshop spaces in the Memo Arts complex on Saturday 10th May, providing opportunities to the community for new skills development. There is also potential for some dance workshop participants to demonstrate their new skills in a "big dance" at the open air stage on Mother's Day, where anyone in the audience can join in. This project engages various visiting professional artist/teachers to present a selection of one hour workshops in diverse performance skills. There are many in Healesville and around the Yarra Valley who keenly participate already in amateur activities such as choirs, bands, exhibitions, classes, dances etc. and this project will offer them a new set of skills to explore.

 $1,500.00
Celebrate Mooroolbark

 

 Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival 2025

 

Every year, the Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival shines as one of the most anticipated events on the calendar, bringing the community together in a vibrant celebration of all things local. Held every March, this free, family-friendly festival invites both locals and visitors to gather in the heart of Mooroolbark.

 In-Kind Waste Support

 
BELGRAVE FOOTBALL CLUB INC Belgrave First Nations Round

 

 Through the Wurundjeri Group we are seeking funding support to hold our first ever Welcome to Country event and conduct a smoking ceremony. We will hold these events during First Nations Round during the Football/Netball season, which is 12 July 2025.

 

 $1,226.00
Exercise Thought Foundation Inc.

 

 Cancer Class

 

 Exercise is proven to improve life expectancy, symptom management and survival in cancer. Exercise Thought will begin a community class dedicated to increasing access to guided exercise for people with cancer. $750.00
Total $7,674.00

 

March 2025 - Monthly Grant Recipients

Applicant Project Title Brief Project Description Total Allocated
Grand Valley Spinners & Weavers Inc

 

 Come and Try in July

 

 The Come and Try Day will enable people to have a go at spinning (and associated preparations) and/or weaving, and will also act as a membership drive. The event will be advertised extensively throughout the community via the local radio station, in print and through social media. The event will involve demonstrations by existing members and there will be instruction booklet supplied outlining the various techniques of the two crafts.

 


‍		 $1,500.00
Healesville Traders Inc

 

 Healesville Postcards

 

 Healesville Traders Inc plan to publish six unique postcards featuring photographs of the Healesville area by local photographer Kelly Hoinville. These will be available for sale at local businesses who will be able to purchase them in wholesale quantities from HT Inc. ‍Sales of cards will fund future investment in new artwork commissions from artists for subsequent runs of postcards. The project will benefit the whole of the Yarra Valley, as visitors will gift and send postcards all over the world and this may encourage tourism and influence visitors to the area.
 $1,500.00
Leanne Hall

 

 Rhythms of Africa in The Valley: A Celebration of Cultural Exchange

 

 Join us for an unforgettable evening of African music, performances, and cultural exchange! On Friday 25th April, at Yarra Valley ECOSS, following the ECOSS Valley Market. We are thrilled to present a unique opportunity for community to come together and experience the vibrant rhythms and traditions of West Africa.

 

 $1,500.00
Ms Mandy Pickett

 

 'Confluence' - Watts River Test Site # 1

 

‘Confluence’ - Watt’s River Test Site #1. ‍

Continuing her site responsive work exploring ecologies of place and personal geographies,  Mandy Pickett is embarking on a ‘slow’ artists residency in her hometown of Healesville.  This will include a series of small projects that will potentially contribute to a greater body of work culminating in an Artist in Residence at the Healesville Memorial Hall Gallery as part of the Yarra Ranges Council Exhibition and Creative Pathways Program in early 2026. ‍

 $1,500.00
Monbulk & District Community Opportunities Working Group INC

 

 Community Leadership - Wellbeing Economy Workshop

 

Bringing key community organisations together to look at the wellbeing economy principals and to workshop how to integrate these into the Monbulk Community for a 5, 10 & 20 year plan. The idea is to initially work with Community leaders and members of Monbulk Care Network, Sylvan Glades, Trek, MADCOW and Community Bank Board to explore a wellbeing economy that fits within ideas of localization. We will look to take this information out to the broader community through consultation later in the year.

 $1,500.00
Sandra Thom-Jones

 

 Reading Our Stories: Enabling Autistic People to Access Affirming Fictional Representation

 

 This application is for the purchase of a collection of books, carefully selected to meet the needs of diverse ages and reading levels, to be made available to the Auti-magination participants at our workshops, and to take home to read and share with family and peers between workshops. In addition, we would promote the collection at future Auti-magination promotional events (including our participants' end of year book launch) and other public events in the Yarra Ranges, particularly in the context of neurodiversity and disability awareness events - thus raising awareness of the creativity of autistic people within our group and the broader community. We would also make the books available for display, and provide reviews by autistic readers of the included books, to YRC libraries and community groups.

 

 $750.00
Selby Folk Club

 

 Getting Through Winter

 

 Winter in the Yarra Ranges has always presented unique challenges for live music venues like the Selby Folk Club [SFC]. Traditionally our audience numbers dip during these colder months, which affects what we can pay the musicians, making it critical to garner support that will sustain our viability during this challenging season. This grant will help SFC maintain our musical momentum during these challenging months.

 

 $1,500.00
The Scout Association of Australia, Victorian Branch - Montrose Scout Group

 

 Emergency Ready: RFDS First Aid & Safety Program for Montrose Cub Scouts

 

 Montrose Scout Group is excited to host a visit from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) as a one-day incursion for our Cub Scouts (aged 8–12 years). The RFDS Education Program will deliver an engaging, hands-on session covering topics such as basic first aid, emergency response, and the vital role of the RFDS in supporting remote and rural communities across Australia. This initiative builds on the existing strengths of our growing Scout Group, reinforces community engagement, and supports Yarra Ranges Council’s goal of building connected, resilient, and vibrant communities.

 

 $858.00
ARTrageous Painters

 

 ARTrageously Warburton

 

 This Art exhibition will be held at the Water Wheel Gallery in Warburton, and showcase the talents of 14 local artists.

 

 $1,500.00
Ms Sunderai Felich

 

 The Spoken Word Stories Brought to Life

 

 The Spoken Word Stories Brought to Life will be building on the success of the previous series of events. The series will be 4 sessions over 12 months, and due to the increased demand, we anticipate holding these events at the Memo subject to availability. $1,500.00
Ms Kate Barratt

 

 Warburton Women's and Children Playgroup

 

 We plan to host a weekly facilitated playgroup for women and female carers, along with their children, every Thursday morning throughout Term 2. This initiative will build upon the success of a parents' group held in Term 1 by Women’s Health East. Feedback from the Term 1 group indicated that both parents and children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and expressed a desire to continue, though they felt they weren’t yet ready to lead a playgroup on their own. This proposal outlines a term of facilitated sessions to help parents and children feel more comfortable in the space, learn how to run an engaging playgroup, and foster deeper connections with one another. $1,500.00
 Wesburn - Millgrove CFA

 

  Millgrove ANZAC Dawn Service

 

  On the 25th April each year the Wesburn - Millgrove Fire Brigade in conjunction with Millgrove Residents Action Group, hold an annual Anzac Day Dawn Service. With this service we provide all equipment, ensure safety, provide warmth and food. All monies raised by a donation are returned back to RSL and other organizations for returned service men and women. This is a large community event with between 1,000 to 2,000 people attending last year and we're expecting a larger turnout again this year.  $700.00
       
 Coldstream PS

 

  Understanding Connection to the Land

 

  Following a highly successful engagement with Aunty Cass Leatham (Wild Blak Arts) in 2019 at camp where the children and adults were fascinated by her knowledge of the culture and land of the Wurunjeri people, we wish to revisit that learning to build upon community understanding of connection of First Peoples with this land. We will advertise widely throughout the Shire of Yarra Ranges to draw both ATSI and non-Indigenous community in.

 

  $1,150.00
 Kalorama Chestnut festival

 

  Kalorama Chestnut festival

 

  The Kalorama Chestnut festival occurs on Sunday 4/5/25 and will include Mount Dandenong preschool, Mount Dandenong primary school, Olinda pool, Ferny creek scouts , Kalorama CFA as well as many other local businesses. It is a community festival providing entertainment with bands and children’s entertainment as well as stalls.

 

  In-Kind Waste Management

 
 Coldstream Netball Club

 

  Supporting our trainee umpires

 

  Coldstream Netball Club are seeking funding to support their 3 new umpires with a CNC umpiring top and bag, as well as a place at LYVNA's Development course.

 

  $866.93

 
 Dandenong Ranges Orchestra

 

 Dandenong Ranges Orchestra Concert

 

  The Dandenong Ranges Orchestra will be taking part in a collaborative musical event with several other musical ensembles from Upwey, at Burrinja. In order to prepare, rehearse and perform, we require services of a professional music director to conduct the orchestra.

 

  $1,500.00
Dandenong Ranges Music Council Inc.

 

  Youth Music Awards Concert 2025

 

 The Youth Music Awards Concert is held annually to celebrate the winners of the adjudications that were held on November 20 in 2024. This year the concert will be held on Sunday April 27 2025 at the Community Music Hub located within the grounds of Upwey High School. This concert will showcase the winners of the Bill Borthwick Young Musicians Encouragement Prize, the Ann and Chris Krans Music Prize and the Jesse Exiner Instrumental Music Encouragement Award. This concert recognizes the potential in young musicians for achieving excellence and is a ladder of opportunity for young emerging artists to practice their performance skills.

 

  $1,500.00

 
 Badger Creek & District Men's Shed Inc.

 

  Provision of sun hats for Badger Creek & District Men's Shed Members

 

  This funding would enable appropriate UV protection against skin cancer, with sun hats for members while volunteering. The hats would provide protection while mentoring primary school students, during fund-raising activities at various markets, when supporting Community Events and also offer protection to Photography Club Members during oudoor excursions.

 

  $750.00
 Animal Aid

 

  Adventure Dog

 

  Adventure Dog, delivered by Victorian Animal Aid Trust, is Australia's largest canine cross country event. This event combines community spirit with charitable giving, having raised over $250,000 in the past for animal welfare. With a 4 km course featuring 25 obstacles, the event draws 900 human participants with their canine counterparts, and 2,000 spectators, making it a significant community event focused on safety, enjoyment, and the human animal bond.

 

  In-Kind Waste Management Support

 
Total $21,574.00

 

 

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